Solea fire under control, minister says (Updated)

The fire in the Solea region that resulted in the death of two firefighters and destroyed huge areas of pine forest was brought under control, Agriculture Minister Nicos Kouyialis, said on Thursday.

Air and ground firefighting forces remained in the area, he said, tackling outbreaks immediately when necessary.

A large airborne force from Cyprus, Israel, Greece, Britain, France, and Italy battled the flames on the Troodos mountain range that raged since Sunday.

On the ground, hundreds of firefighters, members of the civil defence, soldiers, and civilian volunteers, worked all day on Wednesday to put out the deadly fire under difficult circumstances due to the rugged and often inaccessible terrain.

President Nicos Anastasiades congratulated the crews and expressed his thanks and gratitude.

“All these people who, with self-sacrifice and in a coordinated manner, contributed to the efforts to protect human lives, the environment, and residential areas,” Anastasiades said in a written statement.

He also thanked Israel, Greece, France, the United Kingdom and Italy, as well as to the European Union, for their assistance, which was valuable at this difficult times the country experienced.

“I extend thanks also to the Russian Federation for its immediate interest and willingness to support the fire extinguishing operation.”

The fire claimed the lives of two firefighters, killed after their water truck plunged into a ravine.

Marios Aristotelous, 44, was buried on Wednesday afternoon while the funeral of Andreas Sophocleous, 49, was held Thursday evening.

Even while the blaze was raging out of control, there were claims of lack of coordination that contributed in making the situation worse.

Anastasiades said all the departments that took part in the operation will draw up reports that will show whether there were gaps.

“I haven’t noticed a lack of coordination,” Anastasiades said.

The firefighters’ priority, according to Anastasiades, was to safeguard people, their properties, and protect the communities.

Those efforts were hindered by the strong winds that fanned the flames out of control, coupled with the rugged and inaccessible terrain, he said, prompting the government to seek aerial assistance from other countries.

“If it is determined that reforms are required they will be done,” he said. “It depends on the reports of the departments that took part,” he added. “What we are obligated to do is appoint experts to give us their view as regards actions for prevention, actions for dealing with fires, and the means to tackle emergencies in general.”

As regards Turkey’s offer for help, that eventually never materialised, because it refused to land in the Republic’s airports, Anastasiades said the condition was for its aircraft to join the coordination system like the other countries taking part in the operation.

Turkey, which does not recognise the Republic, and props up a Turkish Cypriot breakaway state in the north of the island, rejected the condition.

“We wanted to send two helicopters and an aeroplane … but the Greek Cypriot side, despite the situation it faces, wants to win advantages,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, adding that the government wanted the aircraft to land at airports in the Republic. “Turkey cannot accept such a condition.”

Anastasiades said it was impossible to have someone operating independently.

“Twenty aircraft were operating without the slightest danger of mid-air collision. It is not possible for one to come, simply to carry water and intervene in a well-organised and coordinated operation,” the president said.

Turkey had to respect the conditions of the other states, the EU, Israel, Greece, Italy, France, and the UK, he said.

Anastasiades stressed that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, who made the initial offer for help, “was acting out of genuine interest for our common country,” but did not wish to comment on other powers’ expediencies – if there were any – and whether they mean something else.

During a meeting with Anastasiades as part of the reunification talks, Akinci expressed sadness over the lack of cooperation.

The same thing happened 20 years ago, he said, when a huge fire burned on Pendadaktylos, in the north.

The reason was because of the Cyprus problem, Akinci said, which raised political sensitivities and prevented cooperation between the two communities, even during such big disasters. Such stances were not right and political obstacles must be overcome, he added.

Thank god this fire is under control. But one thing is for sure: regarding Turkey’s offer to help, the North showed more reason and common sense as the South, as can be read from Mr. Akincis comment yesterday:

“I conveyed that we are ready to cooperate, first to Mr. Anastasiades’ team through my advisors on Saturday, and then I personally called the Greek Cypriot leader and reiterated my offer, telling him that we could send our fire engines and firefighters to help put out the fire. When he asked me where the Turkish helicopters would land and stated that he would not be able to accept their landing at the Ercan Airport, I told him that it would be meaningless to persist in Larnaca. I said that it is not necessary for them to land in Ercan either and that they can land in Pınarbaşı or Güzelyurt. I also added that the most appropriate and closest place to take water from the sea for this fire is Güzelyurt Bay and I said that, if they wish to do so, I could make it possible for the other aircrafts to take water from Güzelyurt Bay as well. From my point of view, in the face of such a great disaster, there is no meaning in where the aircrafts will land, from where they will depart, how it will be coordinated and what this would politically mean. In such a situation, our guide cannot be politics or the well-established rules of diplomacy. Our guide can only be wisdom and the values of humanity. As I have repeatedly stated what needs to be done is to help putting out this fire in the most rapid and effective manner and I don’t have any political reservations about this. Everyone who values nature, the environment and humanity should think and act in accordance with this framework.”

Slomi

Glad that that this dreadful fire is under control at last.

Sue Grandini

Thanks to Russia for ‘interest and willingness’…..but no mention of ‘interest and willingness’ from Akinci TRNC and Turkey……so glad it is all under control, but that is just childish.

Whazzzzzzup

Interest and willingness does not put out fires…a pointless statement from Anastasiades agreed.
Anastasiades accepted the offer of help from Akinci but it was the Turks who refused to share the joint command under ROC….so **** ’em!

Sue Grandini

Where is your evidence of that?

Whazzzzzzup

It’s not a secret, read up on it.

peemdubya

It is in the report above.

mmMMmMMmMMMmm

They only refused to use a ROC base thats all

peemdubya

Because they refuse to recognise the RoC – that extends, naturally, into not accepting RoC control of the operation.

Whazzzzzzup

Idiot…everything south of the Attila line is ROC, including airspace so get real.

Philippos

I think that we often do not see the price we pay for the stupidity of our President. His little tantrum earlier when Erdogan had extended full status to Anastasiades on his Turkish visit, is hardly going to extract whole hearted action from Turkey or North Cyprus without conditions. Why should Turkey want to put it planes under Cypriot control, even for safety reasons, when the President of Cyprus bit off their fingers last time and insulted Akinci in the process?

Whazzzzzzup

I guess Anastasiades isn’t an Erdogan a** kisser…oh dear what to do?

Philippos

If Anastasiades wants the people of this nation to think about “US” instead of “ME”, he has to show a lead by behaving like a grown up too. He doesn’t have to kiss the more revolting parts of Erdogans anatomy, he just has to stop having these little tantrums, with or without ashtrays, for internal consumption that simply serve to reinfarce (not a spelling mistake) immaturity in the nation.

Slomi

In nutshell, he has to prove his leadership skills and not his prejudices on each and every moment where he could express something positive also as a seasoned diplomat.

But he is not a seasoned diplomat.He lacks the developed skills in leadership. Here is the problem area.

Second problem area is that may people like and ready to vote him what him as he is now .So he ,for voting too, he likes to behave.There is no diplomatic school of thought which governs his mind originally.
Just that he is very lucky and Island is very lucky. There are some people and some leaders who have to earn their presidency and there are some people who have to earn their EU membership for a safe life. Nothing here. So do not expect any positive action by management.They have no initiative.

Whazzzzzzup

Maybe there was a woman involved or maybe he’s just a plonker. Anastasiades is an embarrassment as a President as are the rest of the political baboons.

Slomi

This is a beautiful island if management could run it well.

peemdubya

Like most European football teams, need to bring in an outsider manager……….lol!!!

Whazzzzzzup

🙂

Whazzzzzzup

Maybe there was a woman involved or maybe he’s just a plonker. Anastasiades is an embarrassment as a President as are the rest of the political baboons.

But at the same time Erdogan is a dangerous oppressive dictator who persecutes those who do not want to avoid the truth as is evident by having more journalists in prison in than in Iran.

Erdogans MIT were caught out supplying weapons to Islamic extremists in Syria with most of the Islamic fighters coming from Turkey as told to the Washington Post by a representative of the Islamic State terrorist group.

Turkey will never try to maintain good relations with Greece, because Erdogan knows very well that he can insult, confront and threaten it as much as he likes without US or NATO disapproval because he is a USA bitch, a valuable tool in the US-NATO anti-Russia campaign

Erdogan told reporters that “In a unitary system, such as Turkey’s a presidential system can work perfectly. There are already examples in the world. You can see it when you look at Hitler’s Germany”

He will continue to confront Russia, persecute the Kurds, jail reporters, prosecute politicians who criticize him, insult the US government and treat Greece with contempt. His only ambition is to replace his country’s parliamentary government with an all-powerful executive presidency, a supreme leader.

Erdogan is out of control to the point of being a psychotic menace so it’s a blessing in comparison that our President has little ashtray throwing tantrums.

Whazzzzzzup

Erdogan is out of control to the point of being a psychotic menace so it’s a blessing in comparison that our President has little ashtray throwing tantrums.

Erdogan is a dangerous oppressive dictator who persecutes those who do not want to avoid the truth as is evident by having more journalists in prison than in Iran.

Erdogans MIT were caught out supplying weapons to Islamic extremists in Syria with most of the Islamic fighters coming from Turkey as told to the Washington Post by a representative of the Islamic State terrorist group.

Turkey will never try to maintain good relations with Greece, because Erdogan knows very well that he can insult, confront and threaten it as much as he likes without US or NATO disapproval because he is a USA b****, a valuable tool in the US-NATO anti-Russia campaign

Erdogan told reporters that “In a unitary system, such as Turkey’s a presidential system can work perfectly. There are already examples in the world. You can see it when you look at Hitler’s Germany” ???

He will continue to confront Russia, persecute the Kurds, jail reporters,prosecute politicians who criticize him, insult the US government and treat Greece with contempt. His only ambition is to replace his country’s parliamentary government with an all-powerful executive presidency, a supreme leader.

mmMMmMMmMMMmm

Mehh as painfull as it is I have to agree with a lot of it. Erdogan is in Syria as a US proxy and funds terrorists for the US. I am suprised when I see ppl that who literally believe Erdogan thinks he can just act on his own, he is a douchebag. He came to power with Western support and has openly said in many occasions that he is the co leader of the wests Great Middleeastern Project

Philippos

A sort of nice all rounder really 🙂

peemdubya

Support needs to be controlled centrally, that includes areas of operation and landing fields – they would want to operate out of Nicosia / Ercan which is bloody stupid!!!!

mmMMmMMmMMMmm

Its not the British use their bases

peemdubya

Because they are here already and share the common view that GC rules are the way forward??

mmMMmMMmMMMmm

Good they are your allies. Turkey is not and has no reason to be yet was still up for help

Whazzzzzzup

British bases exist as a legal entity, that’s the difference.
Your bases are not recognised by anyone other than the Turks so in theory they don’t exist.

mmMMmMMmMMMmm

Your legality not ours. Turkey has her base here and wants to use it nothing unusual. They are also legal

Whazzzzzzup

Ahhhhh, you unblocked me….did you miss me? my donkey hugging friend?

mmMMmMMmMMMmm

I never blocked you, I much prefer confronting rather than bItching out as most do here 🙂

Bjoern Luley

Do they really not exist? Wake up and face reality! There wont be no progress when you remain in a fairytale world.

Whazzzzzzup

Oh they exist all right, just not in the real world.
The thing is, all fairytales have a happy ending, everyone knows that.

mmMMmMMmMMMmm

Legally as in they beat you and forced you to accept their bases, not unlike what Turkey did 🙂

Whazzzzzzup

Turkish logic at it’s best.
What’s with the little smiley face? you must be nervous?

Plasma Dawn

Diplomacy, past grudges, or account settling have no place in the face of a national emergency. There comes a point where only the heartless and the uncivilized go tit for tat under such circumstances.

peemdubya

PD, agree

mmMMmMMmMMMmm

Yup like insisting one uses your base rather than their own…

Whazzzzzzup

Your bases are not recognised by anyone other than the Turks so in theory they don’t exist.

mmMMmMMmMMMmm

And we should care because? At least you accept that you are the one who is still trying to be a dick about recognition at a time in need. Turkey has done the right thing by giving the middle finger and I would very rarely stand with Turkey.

Whazzzzzzup

Illegal, deal with it my little donkey basher.

mmMMmMMmMMMmm

Changes nothing for us, we are not here to please you, and since we are not going anywhere, it is you who has to deal with it 😉

Whazzzzzzup

Stay put, I’m happy for you to stay an illegal entity.

mmMMmMMmMMMmm

Makes no difference to us, but if it makes you feel better about your defeat then even better.

Whazzzzzzup

Seems to me that it makes you feel better dealing with the inequities of being nothing.

mmMMmMMmMMMmm

I got what I need, dont worry about me.

peemdubya

The operative word in your comment is “SAFETY” – any ‘professional’ support from Turkey would have recognised this but the Turkish want to do things their own way – best they didn’t turn up, could have been a near-miss or even a collision. Who would have been hosting the blame then????

IDF

perhaps now these idiots who parade as ministers would realise the importance of a comprehensive policy and organisation on how to tackle such catastrophic fires! dickheads

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